Rose will square off against Rondo, who set NBA record with 82 assists in the 1st 5 games

Multiple story lines underpin Friday night's Bulls-Celtics matchup in Boston, the Bulls' first set of a league-high-tying 23 back-to-back series.

Just don't expect coach Tom Thibodeau to contribute to his.

"I'm not really thinking about Boston right now," Thibodeau said. "I'm focused more on New York. We have two tough opponents coming up. And that's all I'm concerned with right now."

Thibodeau, of course, served as the associate head coach to Doc Rivers the last three seasons with the Celtics. But Thibodeau's answer has been consistent with his "it's not about me" stance toward virtually every individual-based question directed at the rookie head coach.

Brian Scalabrine said he looked forward to returning to the famed parquet floor he roamed for five seasons, including for the 2008 NBA championship.

And Derrick Rose will square off against Rajon Rondo, who set an NBA record with 82 assists in the first five games of the season.

"You can't guard passes like that," Rose said. "It's hard when somebody doesn't have to score and can still control the game. With him doing that and rebounding, it's very tough. You make sure you pressure him.

"Those achievements are great. He's a good player. That's what the team needs from him."

Rose and Rondo staged a classic battle during the 2008 playoffs and also guarded each other in practice before Rondo left Team USA this summer.

Mea culpa: Rose said he apologized to producers for "The Good Wife" after missing a scheduled taping for a cameo in the CBS show Tuesday in New York. Rose said he overslept after the Bulls played Monday night.

"I'm not that type of guy where I try to big-time anyone or anything," Rose said. "It's not in my character as a person. I'm sorry I did it. (The producer) said it wasn't really anything that big. … Hopefully, you'll see me on another episode."